1st Citizen Notes:



Career Notes and Time Line: Senator Joseph Tydings

Ryan Polk, Research Archivist, Archives of Maryland Online

Good Tydings

Joseph Tydings began his career targeting corruption in Maryland’s political machine. He pursued an agenda different from the old-line Maryland democrats. In doing so, he is credited with beginning the reform wing of the Democrat party in Maryland. Inspired by the election of John F. Kennedy and despite their name, reform democrats viewed public office in very traditional way: offices are held in trust, and the primary duty of officials is to serve the needs of the public – not self-aggrandizement. This model of public service carried Tydings to the General Assembly in 1955, to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 1961, and to the U.S. Senate in 1964, but it also contributed to his defeat in 1970.

Tydings defeat in 1970 is largely attributed to two factors. First, he was wrongly accused, then vindicated after the election of using his office to promote the interests of a company in which he held stock. The second is much more infamous. Tydings fought hard for stricter gun control laws. The National Rifle Association mobilized a vehement and effect response. Citizens Against Tydings (CAT) groups formed to campaign against him. Even though his bill failed, the gun lobby successfully exhibited their political might. Tydings is considered martyr to control advocates, and still held as an example of what happens to politicians when you cross the NRA.

Since 1970, Tydings has been active in private legal practice as well as serving as counsel at the request of the Governors and Presidents on several commissions. Serving on the UMD Board of Regents, Tydings has helped guide the university to unprecedented rankings while simultaneously trying to keep costs to students low. He also served on Executive-Legislative Task Force to Study Commercial Gaming Activities in Maryland (the “Tydings” Commission), which recommended against legalized gambling. In 2004, Sen. Tydings served as an official international observer in the two controversial Ukraine elections.

Career Outline:

1960s

S&L Crisis

Brought on by under-regulation, MD experienced unprecedented growth in the number Savings & Loans (S&Ls) in the late 1950s through the early 1960s. Security Financial Insurance Corp. (SFIC), an underfinanced company set up by House Maj. Leader A. Gordon Boone and House Banking Committee vice-chairman Charles F. Culver, insured many S&Ls. SFIC was used to propagate a spoils system among those involved, many of whom were high-level politicians. Many other S&Ls simply had no insurance at all.

Tydings led the S&L reform movement in 1960, but initially met opposition. Gov. Tawes vetoed the first bill to regulate the industry. Marvin Mandel, sub-committee chairman for the Ways and Means (which was also chaired by Boone) and an attorney for several S&Ls, worked to weaken reform regulations.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Tydings US Attorney for MD, and Tydings immediately initiated investigations into S&L mail fraud charges. Stephen Sachs, then Assistant US Attorney launched his career on Tydings staff during this investigation. In 1963, the Tydings-led investigation culminated in the arrest of Boone, Culver, and four other SFIC investors. Tydings prosecuted congressman Johnson and Boykin on charges of conspiracy to use influence to drop charges against a MD S&L investor. In 1964, Boone was sentenced to 3 years in prison, of which he served 13 months.

Hoping to build on his successes fighting corruption, Tydings resigned his post as US Attorney in order to mount his successful campaign for the Senate. While a senator, Tydings shifted focus from local to national issues, in particular gun control.

Tydings was instrumental in pushing the Gun Control Act of 1968 through Congress. Tydings Bill (Senate Bill 3634) provided for national registration and licensing

1967- Bush-Tydings bill - During his brief two-term tenure as a congressman, George Bush sponsored the Family Planning Services and Population Research Act of 1970. It was co-sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Joseph Tydings of Maryland and signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 24, 1970. The bill authorized $382 million for family planning services, population research, education and information through 1973 with much of the money funneled through Planned Parenthood clinics. [Bush later backed away from the bill after criticism from the Republican Party.]

1970s

An article appearing in the August 28, 1970 issue of Life Magazine investigated charges that Sen. Joseph D. Tydings used the prestige of his office to promote the interests of a company in which he held stock. Though Tydings was cleared of the charges after the November election, serious damage to this public image had been done. Charles Wendell Colson, special counsel to Nixon, was involved in the article and was later charge in the Watergate scandal. Joseph Tydings’ father’s, Sen. Millard Tydings, reputation was tarnished in Life Magazine in 1951 when a faked photograph featuring him in conversation with Communist leader Earl Browder appeared.

After mounting a last unsuccessful campaign to re-gain his seat in the Senate, Sen. Tydings turned once again to local issues, education in particular.

1974

Tydings joins the University of Maryland Board of Regents

1977

Along with Edward V. Hurley, Tydings called for the board of regents of the university (UMDCP) to divest itself of $1.5 million in holdings in companies that deal with South Africa, and that Edward V. Hurley be reappointed to the university's board of regents.

• Governor Mandel did not renew Hurley’s re-appointment

1980s

Tydings name is synonymous with political martyrdom.

From: Paul Taylor and Jay Mathews, “GUN CONTROL JAMMED, Defeat of California Initiative Throws Proponents Back on the Defensive, “The Washington Post, November 9, 1982

“ ‘Tom Bradley will become the new Joe Tydings around the necks of our movement.’…Tydings' loss of his Maryland Senate seat in 1970 has long been held out as a prime example of the political cost of supporting gun control. “

1982

Tydings is appointed Chairman of University of Maryland Board of Regents.

1990-present

1995

Governor Paris Glendenning appointed Tydings chairman of the Joint Executive-Legislative Task Force to Study Commercial Gaming Activities in Maryland, also known as the “Tydings” Commission, to explore the proposed expansion of gambling in Maryland. The Tydings Commission recommended against casino gambling.

2003

Speaking as regent of University of Maryland, Tydings proposed a resolution voicing strong opposition to Governor Robert Erhlich’s proposed budget cuts ($40 million).

2004

Tydings served as chair of a Delegation of Ukrainian Election Observers, sponsored by U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress, Served as election observer in Ukraine. As the result of the concerns raised by the observers in the first election, new elections were held, corruption overcome, and democracy prevailed.

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